CITRUS CULTURE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20392, 22 October 1929, Page 5

CITRUS CULTURE.

CURRENT REQUIREMENTS/ Citrus growers will need to bestow, a fair period of time on their trees just now. Lemons are commencing their spring growth and oranges and other citrus fruits will soon follow in their wake. First of all, the pruning of tho trees should bo completed. Lemons tnat have started growth should be left -alone except to remove dead wood or branches which hang down to the ground, unless they have not become very active. Otherwise pruning may have undesirable results. Oranges that have not been pruned so far may bo given tho more elaborate treatment if they have not become r.ctivc.. Tho planting of citrus trees may .still be carried out, although it should not ba delayed much longer. Tho trees should establish themselves quickly now as activity in the top means root action as well. Planting when there is a fair amount of activity, however,-is likely to cause the trees to wilt for a while. Stakes will be required to support the trees until their roots obtain ;i good grip on the soil. Drive the stakes in in an oblique direction and to use some padding to prevent chafing. . As soon as the trees begin to produce their young tender shoots one will ha\e to combat tho natural enemies of thetrees by spraying measures, ihe worst insect pest is the aphis of either the green, red or black varieties. These will cover the whole of the voung shoots and retard their development if 0110 does not take the necessary remedial steps. Spraying with black leaf 40 or red oil 1 in 15, niay be resorted to in order to deal with tha> pests. As far as fungous pests are concerned one may spray with Bordeaux. 3—3—50 to keep tho tree clean. A, stronger solution than this is not possible while tlio shoots are so young. Looking over tho trees for signs, of thft; borer is another matter to be attended to regularly. The period between., tho overhauls should not be too long for the borer docs nrft take long to establish itself. Benzine should be squirted into tho holes that are noticed by means of an oil can, and tho holes should then bo blocked up with clay to imprison tho fumes and suffocate the boring grubs. Another matter for current attention is tho application of a quantity of manure, the timo being opportune for giving tho trees their annual dressing. Manuring in tho case of citrus trees is just as neceS-f sary as with other fruit trees for they use np large quantities of food each year. Young trees require a different mixture from that given to older trees that aro bearing. , 4 A mixture comprising seven parts ot blood and bone and one part of sulphate of potash may be given to trees up to five years of age, the rate varying from Alb. to 21b. per tree. For trees that are beginning to produce heavy crops of fruit one should change the mixture to one cons: 'n Q of 3 parts of blood and bone, 2 parts of superphosphate and 1 part ot sulphak of potash. To a tree in its seventh year 21b. of this mixture may ba given, the quantity being increased for larger trees until a full-grown specimen may be given- as much as 61b. o£ fertiliser. In this matter the grower must exercise his discretion. If one likes, the quantity may be divided into tyro lots, half being kept back for application whei*. the autumn growth is just beginning..